Sunday, June 1, 2014

CRETE

AGIOS
Sights & Sites
Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos – 74 Konstantinou Palaiologou Street; 011-30-28-4102-4943; odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3523; worth hike up; extensive & well-displayed eastern Cretan collection; while no major showpiece, significant Minoan collection (ceramic musical instruments, clay coffins, gold from Mohlos Island; exhibits begin with Neolithic finds from Mt. Tragistalos (north of Kato Zakros) & early Minoan finds (from Agia Fotia), then move on to finds from Malia & Mohlos; highlight is odd-looking Goddess of Myrtos (clay jug from 2500 BCE found near Myrtos).
Knossos – 5 km southeast of Heraklion; 011-30-28-1023-1940; ancient-greece.org/archaeology/knossos.html; largest Bronze Age site on island; Minoan civilization and culture center ruins uncovered in 1900 by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans; unlike other archaeological sites in Crete, substantial reconstruction helps visitor visualize what palace might have looked like at peak; get guide.



CHANIA
Restaurant
Dinos Fish Tavern – 3 Kti Enoseos (Harbor end); 011-30-28-2104-1865 or 011-30-28-2109-8101; chania-citizen-guide.gr/1-4197ccg_.html; among city’s oldest fish taverns.
Taverna Aeriko – 42 Ipeiroy; 011-30-28-2105-9307; facebook.com/aeriko.cafebar.5; traditional ouzeria and taverna.
Taverna Manolis – Old Village, Agia Marina; 011-30-28-2106-8311; agmarina.net/2007/05/taverna-manolis-agia-marina.html; traditional Crete food since 1978.



GOURNIA
Sights & Sites
Gournia – outside Heraklion; minoancrete.com/gournia.htm; town with Minoan ruins, not well-frequented, that are among best-preserved on island.



HERAKLION
Hotels
Blue Palace Resort & Spa – Elounda; 011-30-28-4106-5500; bluepalace.gr; peaceful resort set on beautiful and otherwise undeveloped stretch of steep north Cretan coast, 2 miles from Elounda; dramatic east-facing view towards deserted island of Spinalonga, set in natural bay; 5 superb restaurants.
Candia Maris Resort & Spa – 72 Andreas Papandreou Street; 011-30-28-9702-700; maris.gr.
Elounda Beach – Elounda; 011-30-80-0223-6800; eloundabeach.gr; world-class resort consistently on lists of “best,” “top,” and “great” hotels and resorts; isolated on own stretch of coast and built to suggest Cycladic village; deluxe, yet understated; guest rooms and bathrooms are appropriately luxuriously appointed; restaurants serve haute cuisine; 4 restaurants, 4 bars, pool (and 25 suites with own pools), 5 night-lit tennis courts, health club, sauna.
Elounda Mare Hotel – Elounda; 011-30-28-4104-1102; eloundamare.gr.
Porto Elounda De Luxe Resort – Elounda; 011-30-28-4106-8000; portoelounda.com; has 6 Senses Spa; luxurious.
Restaurants
Elounda Mare Hotel – Elounda; 011-30-28-4104-1102; eloundamare.gr.
Sights & Sites
Heraklion Archaeological Museum – 1 Xanthoudidou Street (Heraklion); 011-30-28-1022-6092; heraklion-crete.org/archaeological-museum.



PEFKI
Restaurants
Piperia Taverna – Pefki-Makrigialos; 011-30-28-4305-2471; makrigialos.wix.com/piperia; serves excellent Cretan food and stunning view over ocean; nerati (flat pie stuffed with ricotta-like cheese and drizzled with honey).



PHALASARNA
Accommodations
Masseria Falasarna – check AirBnB; ideal setting, exceptional location with breathtaking view over Falasarna Bay.



RETHYMNON (includes Adele, Kampos, Kissamos & Missiria)
Hotels
Agreco Farm – Adelianos Kampos (Adele); 011-30-28-3107-2129, 011-30-28-3105-4014 or 011-30-28-3102-0750; grecotel.com; privately-owned 40K square acre estate; farm & buildings are replica of 17th Century lodge, featuring traditional olive press, flour/water mill, wine press & grape crushing vat; complex includes church, village square & store.
Creta Palace – Missiria; 011-30-28-3105-5181; grecotel.com/crete/creta-palace.
Restaurants
Agreco Taverna – Adelianos Kampos (Adele); 011-30-28-3107-2129, 011-30-28-3105-4014 or 011-30-28-3102-0750; grecotel.com; privately-owned 40K square acre estate; everything grown on farm ends up in kitchen, where chef prepares traditional Cretan dishes; large olive tree 7 vines wrap around wooden pergola beams that shade stone-laid terrace with magnificent view over Cretan coast.
Sun-Set – Adele Kampos (Kissamos); 011-30-28-2204-1128; sunset-crete.gr; grills and large salads.
Sights & Sites
Apoplystra Folds – Agios Pavlos (between St. Paul & Sandhills); cretanbeaches.com/en/geological-formations/apoplystra-folds-agios-pavlos#ixzz4a79uyzYd); remarkably colorful geologic folds.



SELAKANO
Restaurants
Stella’s Cafe – on way to Selakano Forest; 011-30-28-4209-1235; fasolakia me katsiki (beans simmered with goat).
Sights & Sites
Selakano Forest – Lassithi (about 35Km from Ierapetra); selakano.net or ierapetra.gr/En/OurMunicipality/Siteseing/Selakanoforest/tabid/120/language/el-GR/Default.aspx; spectacular gorges.

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